SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1299, 5 February 1885, Page 3

SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

A writer in the North Australian asserts that a form of slavery exists in connection with the pearl shelling industry on the North Australian coasts, and gives the following account of the manner in which it is carried on :—“ A party ot men under a competent leader purchase a boat suitable for pearling, provision and arm her, and take on board a number of horses provided, of course, with all necessary riding materials. They then proceed to the west coast of Western Australia, where settlement has not yet begun, and land the horses and part of the provisions. A few days’ grace are given the horses to allow them to recoup their land legs, after which a start is made inland. Now, to an outsider, the conclusion that they were on a land exploration trip would no doubt be acceptable, but follow them up and you will see that their only object is to discover a native camp, and if they are successful then comes the first act. As many of the blacks as are required and appear suitable are cut out from the main body and driven to the place where the boat is left, thence taken on board under penalty of death for refusal. From thence they are taken before a magistrate. The white interpreter (who, by the by, is one of the ship’s company) explains to the magistrate that the men are perfectly willing to sail from ‘ home, sweet home ’ and become divers. The magistrate tells the interpreter to make known to the blacks under what conditions they are engaged, but he substitutes a question to suit himself, and probably asks them if they would like a bag of flour or a few bags of sugar, tor they immediately nod their heads, and this the magistrate takes to be a tok'-n of unanimous assent. They are at once formally engaged, and placed safeiy on board again. The vessel sails for the fishing grounds, and from that time until the season closes these poor wretches of blacks are virtually nothing better than abject slaves, Wiien the season is ended the vessel runs out to one of the many islands in the neighborhood, far from the main land, and deposits the blacks on it, leaving sufficient rations and water to last till the shelling season shall begin again, after which the vessel proceeds to market with her ill-gotten load. Any communication with the mainland is impossible, so the slaves are obliged to make ibe best of the situation.”